DIY Projects + Tutorials - DIY Bride

Recipe: Lavender Lemonade

This twist on traditional lemonade is a fun way to cool down on warm days. I was surprised at how unique and refreshing this drink truly was. Below you will find the step-by-step instructions on how to make lavender lemonade.

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon Of Dried Lavender Flowers
1 Cup of Sugar
Water
Ice
1 1/2 Cups Fresh Lemon Juice
Aardvark Eco-Flex Straws

Time

20 Minutes

Serves

Difficulty

Super simple and delicious! If you remember, I used these fun straws in our last cocktail post. Thanks to the Aardvark company for sending us some free samples so I could dress up my glass of lavender lemonade!

Combine your sugar, dried lavender flowers, and two cups of boiling water in a bowl.

Stir until the sugar dissolves and let the lavender steep for 20 minutes. You can allow it to steep longer if you would like a stronger flavor, but too long can make your lemonade taste like soap!

Use a strainer to remove the lavender flowers from your water mixture.

Add in your lavender syrup, lemon juice, two cups of cold water, and stir. Pour over ice and enjoy!

*You can also use fresh lavender leaves and flower to make this lemonade, however you will need a larger quantity because the dried flowers are much too potent.

Did you serve lavender lemonade as a signature cocktail? Send us your photos to hello@diybride.com or tag us @DIYBrideBlog on Instagram.

Xoxo,

Alex

DIY: Floral Crowns

I am obsessed with floral crowns and even more obsessed to see how with a little bit of work and time I was able to create my very own DIY floral crowns.

Supplies

Greenery cut 2-3 inches long
Flowers cut 2-3 inches long
Floral Tape
Floral Wire
Wire Cutters

Time

30- 45 Minutes

Difficulty

This was one of the more difficult DIY’s I have attempted. Don’t let it discourage you from trying it out though. Make a few as practice before you need the final product.

Take the wire and measure a circle around your head to see how big to make the crown. Leave just a bit extra so you can tie it off and trim the wire to size.

Wrap the wire with floral tape. This was surprisingly tougher than it sounds. The floral tape will not stick to the wire, but rather stick to itself.

Start by covering the crown with your greenery by attaching the end of the greens to the wire with floral tape. Wrap each piece of greenery you attach to the wire with 3-4 times around with floral tape.

If there are any pieces that are sticking up, use a small amount of floral tape to attach the pieces in other places to the wire.

Once your greens are down you can start adding the flowers. Using the same technique to attach the flowers to wire that we did in the winter boutonniere (you can click here to check it out). Wrap the wire around the crown base, and cover with floral tape.

Once you are happy with your crown twist the ends together to complete the circle!

Place upon your head, and you’re finished!

*When placing the flowers and greenery, I tried to make things as symmetrical as possible. Pick a spot to be the center of your crown, and work back and fourth to keep the piece looking balanced. Also, the thicker the floral wire the more sturdy your crown will be.

We want to see your floral crowns! Post your photos to our Facebook wall or tag @DIYBrideBlog on Instagram.

Xoxo,

Alex

DIY: Painted Vow Books

Supplies

Small Notebook
Acrylic Paint
Paint Brush
Paint Marker

Time

5 Minutes

Difficulty

The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating your one-of-a-kind vow books.

Tip

Use stickers or painters tape on your notebook, paint over them, then peel away for beautiful and creative designs.

Did you make your own vow books? Be sure to tag us on Instagram using @DIYBride or email us at hello@diybride.com!

Xoxo,

Sarah

DIY: Spring Floral Centerpieces

With spring hopefully right around the corner, I wanted to share a few ways to incorporate color into your centerpieces. Don’t assume that flowers are the only way to add a pop of color into your decor. You can browse below to see unique ways to have your centerpieces pop amongst a bouquet of white flowers.

Why not use food coloring to add a splash of color to your water in your floral arrangements?! This is a simple yet bold way to add a pop to your event space.

Explore your local produce section to find bright colors to enhance your tablescape. I chose lemons to fill these tall vases however limes, oranges, or apples would be beautiful as well.

Fresh fruit is not the only think you can find in the grocery store to make a beautiful centerpiece. Try some dried beans or lentils for color and texture. I used two bags of dried split peas.

Inspiration for centerpieces can be found all around you just need to look for them.

Did you use white flowers for your spring floral centerpieces? We would love to see what you made. Tag us on Instagram @DIYBrideBlog or shoot us an email to hello@diybride.com.

Xoxo,

Alex

DIY: Tinted Mason Jars

The mason jar companies have finally got the memo and started making colorful jar. However, being DIYers we wanted to figure out a way to replicate that look on our own. Read below to see how you can make your own tinted mason jars!

Supplies

Mason Jars
Mod Podge Or Glue
Food Coloring
Stirrer

Time

5 Minutes per jar (Not including dry time)

Difficulty

The hardest part about this is waiting for them to dry so you can use them!

Directions

First pour Mod Podge into the mason jar.

Add food coloring into the glue. The more dye you use the darker the color will be.

Use your stirrer to totally incorporate the food coloring into the Modge Podge. Be sure to mix well because any spot left behind will dry on the jar.

Swirl the color and glue mixture around until it has totally coated the inside of the mason jar.

Flip the jar upside-down on a paper plate allowing all access glue to pool on the plate for about 30 minutes.

Then place right side up in a cookie sheet in a warm oven for 30 or so minutes. If the color is slightly pastel it means the glue is not dried completely.

After 30 minutes, time is up, handle with care as the jars will be hot.

After they have cooled they are ready for use!

What did you do with your tinted mason jars? Email us your projects at hello@diybride.com or tag us @DIYBrideBlog

DIY: Gold Glitter Bowl

These glitter bowls would add sparkle to any table in need of some glitz. Check out below to see how balloons and glue can make an eye-catching piece.

Supplies

Glitter
Balloon
Mod Podge
Paintbrush

Time

20 Minutes (Not including drying time)

Difficulty

They were not difficult, but certainly messy and a bit of a pain to create.

First, you will want to pour the Mod Podge into a bowl and mix in the glitter. You will need much more glitter than glue, make that a ton of glitter. The texture shouldn’t be runny, but rather chunky from the glitter.

Inflate the balloon to as big as you would like your bowl and place in a shallow cup or bowl to keep the balloon in place.

Paint the glitter and glue mixture over the balloon. I found it easier to pour the mixture on the balloon and spread with the brush.

Let it set over night. Deflate the air from the balloon. Cut a small slit in the end of the balloon and slowly let the air out.

Flip the glitter bowl over and you’re done!

What did you do with your gold glitter bowls? Learn how to submit your projects by clicking here.

Xoxo,

Alex

DIY: Hot Cocoa Favors

My best friend is getting married, and we threw her a winter wonderland themed bridal shower. Read below to see the instructions on these simple white chocolate hot cocoa favors I created.

Supplies

Mason Jars
Hot Cocoa Mix About 65 Oz
12 Oz Bag of Mini Dehydrated Marshmallows
Pearl Candy 5 lb Bag

Time

30 Minutes for 50 Favors

Difficulty

Super Simple

This is all about layering

Start with a layer of the white cocoa mix. Since I was using jelly mason jars I used about 1/4cup of the cocoa mix.

Top with a layer of pearl candies. I used about 2 tablespoons of these edible pearls.

Finish with mini marshmallows.

Seal, tie with ribbon, and you’re done!

Did you make your own edible favors? Post your photos to our Facebook wall or tag @DIYBrideBlog on Instagram.

Xoxo,

Alex

Recipe: Cinnamon Bun Stuffed Apples

These cinnamon bun stuffed apples would make a yummy breakfast treat or a beautiful addition to any brunch spread.

Ingredients

8 Apples
Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon
Brown Sugar
Butter

Time

Prep: 20 Minutes
Baking time: 45 Minutes

Serves

Difficulty

These were very simple to make, but be sure to read the tips below to see what I learned when making these yummy treats.

Cut the top off of your apples.

Use a spoon to scrape out the insides of the apple, leaving enough flesh to not puncture the sides and bottom.

Use the melted butter to coat the inside of your apples with the brown sugar and cinnamon.

Place a cinnamon bun inside of each apple.

Put all of your apples onto a cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes at 350°, then cover with tinfoil for another 15 minutes. Drizzle with frosting and let them cool slightly before enjoying!

*If you do not cover the cinnamon buns with tinfoil for the last 15 minutes, they will over bake and get a hard and overdone on top. Also, you really do not need to scoop out very much of the apple flesh. If you do they will split and become a pile of gooey goodness.

Did you try out this recipe? Send us your photos to hello@diybride.com or tag us @DIYBrideBlog on Instagram.

Xoxo,

Alex

DIY: Confetti Topper

These confetti toppers are so cute and easy. Turn your plain and boring dessert into a festive treat in a matter of minutes.

Supplies

Tissue Paper
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun
Toothpick
Wax Paper

Time

15 Minutes

Difficulty

These look like they could be tricky, but they are actually super simple.

We made our own confetti, but you can feel free to use store-bought glitter or confetti. To see how to make your own confetti click here. Using a hot glue gun draw out your shape of choice on the wax paper. Then, stick the toothpick into the hot glue.

Add another layer of hot glue onto the first layer and sprinkle with confetti.

Let it cool for a few minutes, then slowly pull it off of the wax paper and flip over.

Apply another layer of hot glue to this side and sprinkle with confetti.

Let cool and you’re finished!

*If you are creating small shapes you may need to trim the confetti a bit to be able to better see what your shape looks like. I trimmed around the curved edges to give our confetti toppers a more defined heart shape.

How did you use the confetti cupcake toppers? Tag @DIYBrideBlog on Instagram or email us your photos to hello@DIYBride.com.

Xoxo,

Alex

DIY: Wine Cork Heart

Whether you are having a wedding set at a winery, or you and your fiancé are avid wine lovers, these wine cork hearts would be a great addition to your wedding decor.

Supplies

Hot Glue Gun
Corks

Time

5- 10 Minutes

Difficulty

As long as you can hot glue, you’ve got this!

I choose to make a heart with my corks, but perhaps you would rather make you and your partners’ initials. I tired to freehand it at first, but my inner perfectionist cringed, so that’s when I turned to the internet and printed out a shape. Once you have your template, lay the corks along the outer layer. I suggest laying the corks out before any hot glue is applied. This way you can make any appropriate adjustments if needed. I placed all wine stained corks faced down, so when I flipped the finished project over I could see their pretty colors.

After the layer is set, go back through and use the hot clue to affix the corks to one another. I repeated this process for a second layer to give the heart more structural integrity.

How easy was that! You can purchase corks at your local craft store or collect them yourself. I mean, who doesn’t love a glass of wine… or two? Please note DIY Bride does not condone drinking and crafting 🙂

You can place your finished wine cork hearts on your gift table or hang them with ribbon lining your aisle way. The possibilities are endless! What did you create using corks for your wedding? Be sure to share with us by using @DIYBrideBlog.

Xoxo,

Alex